Being part of the AECO Technologies Garmin ambassador also allows me
access to some of their other products. AECO Technologies has an Audio Visual business
known as Stereotype which carries brands such as Bang & Olufsen, Shokz,
Anker, JBL, AudioTechnica, Jabra and Audio Pro. As part of my 2023 entitlement
as one of the Pacer for Everymove Sports Club, I am able to get any items other
than Garmin devices - and this time, i decided to go for the Anker Soundcore
Space Q45.
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| Active Noise Cancelling Headset |
The Anker Soundcore
Space Q45 are wireless, over-ear headphones with active noise canceling (ANC).
They have up to 50 hours of playtime in ANC mode and up to 65 hours in standard
mode. My Bose QC35 is aging and it is time to have a standby headset in case I
need one for travel soon. Those that has ANC headset will know how important it
is for long haul travelling.
Unboxing Video
The headband is metal-reinforced and could easily be adjusted to fit my big head. The cushioning on the band is soft but I doubt if it will last long with my short/spiky hair giving a lot of friction on it in the long run. My Bose QC35 headband has been replaced with paracord which i used to wrap it up after attempt to change it did not materialised as it involve desoldering the electronics and cutting the pleather band on the QC35.
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| Ear cup from the side |
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| Metal band |
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| Adjustable |
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| lay flat cup |
Control Buttons
The Soundcore Space Q45 has control buttons on both left and right ear cups. They are neatly divided and feature easy to locate and touch buttons. Tactile so you can feel the press/feedback. On the right ear cup is the media and volume control button. Play, pause and volume up and down is situated on the right side. You can skip or return to previous songs by pressing and holding the volume button up or down for 2-seconds.
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| Easy buttons |
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| And with USB-A to USB-C charging cable |
First time Listening
Without tinkering with the sound and using it fresh out connected via Bluetooth to my iPhone 12, over Spotify, the sound is acceptable. It perform as it should if you, like me is not able to discern or has a reference audio/songs to constantly test/compare it with. I personally find the quality highly acceptable even at zero-boost with ANC being my main price point consideration.
The Adaptive Noise Cancelling
This is the reason I got this headset. The ANC is good. With 3-different modes it allows for good customization depending where you are at so you still have situational awareness.
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| Convincing |
Based on the usage, I would rate the Space Q45 ANC to be on par or likely better than the Bose QC35. Bearing in mind the Bose unit has been serving me for more than 6 years. I may not be comparing apple to apple when it comes to "age" of the Noise Cancellation capability but it is nice to know these feature are available at lesser cost than before. The Bose QC35 was RM1.5K when I bought it and the Anker Space Q45 is less than half the price (RM699).
Toggling between the ANC is also easy with 2 taps and I am in transparency mode. No complains here.
ANC button
The Soundcore App
The App is easy to use and it was the first thing I downloaded after the unboxing video to link it up and also to check for firmware update. There is a firmware update and after listening to it for a while I use the Equaliser and set the HearID which is a personalised EQ based on your hearing sensitivity and how you like your music.
In the app you are able to do more stuff like setting the level of transparency mode you want and also programing how the ANC button behave to your preference. Unfortunately unlike the higher end Sony XM5, you can't put a hand over the headset to activate transparency. However, compared to my Bose QC35, this is a step change vs having to remove the headset from my ears to listen to someone talking to me.
Microphone and usage for telecon/phone calls
The Q45 comes with two microphone arrays, which works great for phone calls and also telecon as it was good enough to cancel any background noise and focuses on your spoken voice.
Microphone 
More microphones on same right side as above 
Microphone on left side near the Power button
Bluetooth and supported codec
Apart from the 3.5mm wired connection, the Q45 is designed mostly to work via Bluetooth connection. It has high latency, meaning it is not all too suitable for gaming as it would meant a sync-lapse of sound. That aside, it has Bluetooth 5.3 and allows for multiple connection (2 devices at one time) so you can link it up to your PC for work and your phone for calls as an example. I had all possible Bluetooth devices linked up; so my Garmin, Laptop, Mac and phone has the Q45 linked up. It will connect to whichever is nearest to me, and at times, I would need to disconnect one devices so it will link to the device I prefer (usually my Garmin as I don't need to bring my phone to stream the music).
50H Playtime on ANC
As for Codec, it us defaulted to AAC, and you it can handle SBC and LDAC. So yes, High-Res Audio is possible provided your source can stream that - and if you are on Spotify, this is pretty meaningless as Spotify does not stream in High-Res. It's just nice to know you have that options should you move to other providers.
Hi-Res Audio
Where to get
STEREOTYPE - IOI CITY MALL
10:00am - 10:10pm (Daily)
Or you can also try to find them online. Bear in mind to get it from official distributor and reseller for warranty and peace of mind. All products from Stereotype carries the official warranty and support/service.
I bought this unit using my entitlement and I top up slightly to make up the differences. A great value for me being EveryMove Sports Club pacer and ambassador!
The Review TL:DR
- Double-layer diaphragm drivers: Good quality/acceptable sound with strong bass
- LDAC: High Resolution audio if you have LDAC source.
- Two mics and an AI algorithm: great for calls and telecon, amplify voice and not background noise.
- Pleather ear cup padding: For comfort during long periods of use
- Adjustable ear cups: Can fold flat for storage
- Easy-to-understand controls: Divided between the left and right ear cups
- Sweat resistance: Ideal for use while doing sports if you must/have to
- Nice App which lend a lot of other features such as EQ, personal preferences and even level of ANC
- Amazing battery life. 50hours on ANC, 65 without. 5mins fast charge gives you 4 hours of music and ANC.
- Love the semi-hard carrying case but it lacks a sleeve to put cables
- Comfortable
- Fast charging
- Multipoint connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Good ANC
- Aluminum hinges
- Great ear pads
- Great battery life
- Average sound quality if you are into audiophile settings
- Build quality if you are not into plastic-ky feel
- Relatively expensive when compared to what Baseus offers on similar level (such as the D02); but bear in mind that Anker is a premium brand.
- Does not come with a travel adapter to plug into plane inflight entertainment.
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| Feature on the box |
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